AN UNCOUTH CASE OF TIMING
(This is a re-blog. Julian has started a discussion on
political poetry.....It occured to me that this might be
an example of practicing what I was trying to preach).
(The first gulf war lasted only two days. I was disgusted
because, immediately it ended, the politicians of the
victorious countries were arguing among themselves
about who got the lucrative repair contracts (the dead
were not even buried yet) I was trying to retrieve a bit
of national self-respect).
Down in the gulf the war( was finished
A blink and it might have all been missed)
Saadam was sad and quite diminished
As out in the desert the victors kissed.
In Paradise the Ancient Valour
Looked forward with a grave delight
To pro-and-con it in Vallhalla
That coming friday`s `Viking Night`
(Stonewall Jackson -sword on hip -
Smirked a furtive smile to Lee,
While Saladin`s sardonic lip
Scorned the un-equal weaponry)
But the immediate demand
Was a proper reverence for the dead
As Odin bid each warrior stand,
Respectfully, and bare his head.
This done, the all suppressed their views
And sat in quiet conversation.
Till someone said, `turn on the news,
Switch it to the British station`
And- lo!-on the celestial tele,
In that icy manner -all his own,
Was cold-eyed, thin-lipped, flax-haired Lilley
Addressing the financiers moan.
`Of course!` his ministry had planned
(Feareful of foreseen destruction)
Talks (already!) were well in hand
On contracts for the reconstruction.
While he thus reassured the banks
Thick profits soon would ooze again,
On the road to Basra twisted tanks
Crushed inextricable, mangled men.
God! the slain were not yet buried,
Some of the wounded not quite dead,
In crawling masses flies were serried
Black on festering, putrid heads.
The Ancient Valour, shocked, disgusted,
Uttered one long,communal moan,
While (shamed) the British military mustered
To make their feelings swiftly known
And over the ministry, broken hearted,
Hurriedly crude (but appropriate - fit)
Alfred pissed and Nelson farted,
Wellington vomited...(Cromwell shit).
Martin Peacock
Wed 14th Dec 2011 11:45
'In crawling masses flies were serried
Black on festering, putrid heads.' - not unlike 'Dulce et Decorum Est', perhaps THE greatest of war poems. Don't know the slant of the discussion you mentioned but here's my two pe'nnorth - politics and poetry are essential bedfellows. Being a pacifist [funny how the word 'fist' sneaks in there, eh?] I believe that words are sharper weapons than blades. Put the guns away and execrate 'em with language - the bastards deserve everthing we can fling at 'em.